IDF tests different sounding sirens for chemical weapon attack
Israel Hayom | IDF tests different sounding sirens for chemical weapon attack.
( I have only one word to say about this. YIKES ! – JW )
Siren would sound different from conventional siren and would signal an incoming missile armed with chemical warhead • Idea is to allow people to differentiate between different types of attacks and respond accordingly • Home Front Command says new sirens are still in testing stage.
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Same sound, different day. In the meantime, the regular siren will be used in case of any rocket or missile attack. [Illustrative]
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Photo credit: Yehoshua Yosef
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The IDF Home Front Command conducted two experiments in the past month to test a new siren in case of a chemical weapon attack against Israel. The siren would emit a different sound than the conventional siren people are accustomed to, and would signal an incoming missile fired at Israel armed with a chemical warhead. The drills were held at Home Front Command headquarters in Ramle.
The Home Front Command said the idea was to allow people to differentiate between different types of attacks and respond accordingly. If indeed a “chemical” siren was sounded, people would know to don their gas masks, which have been distributed to the public in recent months. The fact that geographic siren zones have been re-designated in recent years increases the chances that eventually the decision will be made to install unique sirens for different threats.
A source in the Home Front Command said that a number of different sounds and methods were tested for the new siren. One of the options was a verbal siren, similar to what is used to warn civilians in communities located near the Gaza Strip, in which people hear the words “Color Red” when a rocket is fired. The problem with a “verbal siren” is that it may reach fewer people.
In recent days the Population Department of the Home Front Command has been analyzing the results of the experiments, and it is likely that further tests with more sounds will be held. In the meantime, the regular siren will be used in case of a rocket or missile attack.
The idea for a different siren to be used in case of an unconventional attack is not new. Theoretical experiments were conducted in the past as well, but the decision was made to sound the regular siren along with sending instructions to people’s cell phones.
The subject of a chemical attack has been a source of serious concern to the defense establishment in general and the IDF specifically in recent months, mainly due to Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal. The concern is that the fragile situation in Syria opens the door for terrorist organizations, namely Hezbollah, to get their hands on unconventional weapons.
Sources from within Israel’s defense establishment have said on numerous occasions that the transfer of chemical weapons to Hezbollah would change the rules of the game, and could even be seen as a casus belli.
WarSclerotic 
June 26, 2012 at 2:50 PM
I hope we won’t get an entire orchestra performing the sirens warnings for ” different ” types of attack the IDF is expecting for.
Instead of this, i suggest that the Army will make clear that anybody who will attack Israel with chemical weapons will get an unconventional respond that might not be, in a necessary mod, chemical too.
June 26, 2012 at 4:14 PM
I suspect the chemical attack warnings will sound a lot like nuclear tipped Jerico III missiles in the booster stage.
June 26, 2012 at 4:52 PM
Oho…very good one !
June 26, 2012 at 6:59 PM
Or the sound of the Jericho III’s in launch will drown out the sirens…
June 26, 2012 at 6:58 PM
Has anyone thought about how deaf Israelis will know what to do? Many of them are NOT going to be able to hear those sirens, much less tell them apart!!
June 26, 2012 at 7:16 PM
Good thoughts on that, Brian. I assume certain visual devices or based on vibration can be deployed to help those peoples.
June 26, 2012 at 8:50 PM
Hmm that might not be a dangerous assumption given how high tech Israel is and the fact most deaf Israelis are centered around Tel Aviv.
I did a quick Google search and was shocked to find this article:
http://www.idf.il/1283-14886-en/Dover.aspx
IDF sign language course to better accommodate deaf soldiers
First ever ‘Signs of Change’ course teaching IDF soldiers and commanders sign language allows for more service opportunities for deaf soldiers
Date: 13/02/2012, 6:13 PM Author: Rotem Pesso
The first ever ‘Signs of Change’ course, designed to improve accessibility and communication between commanders and soldiers suffering from hearing impediments or deafness, was recently completed. Run by the military funding and finance school, the project will better accommodate for such soldiers who volunteer to serve in the IDF.
Over 100 soldiers with hearing impediments and deaf soldiers are currently serving in the IDF in the different units and branches. They serve alongside other soldiers in a normal military environment, mostly using writing and lip reading to communicate.
The ‘Signs of Change’ course, composed of eight two-hour-long meetings over the span of two months, teaches commanders and soldiers the Israeli sign language and exposes them to a world without sound.
20 soldiers and commanders participated in the first ever course that was held last December. Over 60 participants already signed up for the next cycle, starting at the end of February, raising the possibility of holding to courses simultaneously.
Commander of the military school for funding and finance, Cpt. Tal Horowitz, initiated the project. He explained that the project was first set in motion in 2010 when a completely deaf soldier arrived for training and inspired him to create the course. “I was debating how I could train her. During her training, I arranged for a translator to attend all the classes and translate the material,” explained Cpt. Horowitz. “I understood that without a translator this community would only be able to communicate through either writing or lip reading. I decided to learn sign language myself and start a course for the soldier’s personal commanders, enabling us to fulfill her potential.”
Using his familiarity with the subject, Cpt. Horowitz began the ‘Signs of Change’ course for both soldiers with hearing impediments as well IDF soldiers who work with deaf civilians. He recruited soldiers and officer interested in the project, and publicized the project within the IDF for anyone who might be interested.
“This is an empowering experience that goes beyond learning sign language. The course is beneficial for everyone and allows for an interaction with a completely different world – a world without verbal interaction,” explained Cpt. Horowitz. The course enables basic communication skills with people with hearing impediments by learning and practicing sign language. Additionally, the participants are taught about the needs of the deaf community and taught how to better accommodate their work environment.
According to Cpt. Horowitz, different IDF units have expressed interest in the program and asked to have their soldiers participate. These include representatives from the IDF Military Advocate General stationed in Judea and Samaria, wishing to better communicate with deaf Palestinians that arrive at the crossings in the area.
The course will allow for more opportunities for the deaf community in the IDF, enriching their service. “We’ve received a lot of support and many wish to sign up for the course,” said Cpt. Horowitz. “The program continues to build the IDF as an equal and accessible body for everyone.”